Minnesota State Sacred Harp Singing Convention

September 25-26, 2004

Saturday, September 25

The fifteenth Minnesota State Sacred Harp Singing Convention was held at the Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday; and the Sunday sessions were held in the Town Hall at Murphy’s Landing in Shakopee, Minnesota.

The class was called to order on Saturday by Co-Chairs Paul Wyatt and Stacey Berkheimer leading 276. Rev. Elli Elliot offered the opening prayer.

A business meeting was held for the purpose of electing the Chair for our February, 2005 Cooper Book Convention. Steven Schmidgall was elected. Co-chairs for next year’s convention were then nominated and elected: Donna Gunderson-Rogers and Paul Wilson.

After announcements were made, Stacey Berkheimer and Paul Wyatt led 323t as the closing song. Gordon Olsen offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Sunday, September 26

The singing on Sunday was held in the Town Hall at Murphy’s Landing, Shakopee, Minnesota. Co-Chairs Stacey Berkheimer and Paul Wyatt brought the class to order leading 171. The opening prayer was offered by Darlene Dalton.

Kim Bahmer and Cheryl Foreman conducted the memorial lesson. Kim Bahmer spoke of coming to the singing for musical reasons four years ago and being captured by the sense of connection and remembrance she found in the memorial lesson she heard at her first convention in this building. The list of those who have died included: Willie Carolyn Denson—Alabama; Bill Burke—Arizona; Betty Haase—Arkansas; Nick Pender and Mozelle Sheppard—Georgia; Sharon Rogers—Illinois; Barbara Taylor—Indiana; Roland Kirk, Waldo Bunge, Irene Wobschall Austin, Hilmer Iverson, and Verna Carr—Minnesota; Doug Anthony—Montana; Allen Fannin, Abraham Kaufman, and Tomislav Podreka—New York; Betty Rudolph, Cindy McKee, and Robert Langston—Pennsylvania; Sue Ann Cowen—Virginia; Christine Lipo and Dave Egelhoff—Wisconsin; Dick Haase—Texas; Roberta George Seaton—United Kingdom; the victims of hurricanes in the Southeastern United States; the victims of war; and the people killed in the school seizure at Beslan, Russia. Kim Bahmer and Cheryl Foreman led 235 in memory of those deceased.

The Resolutions Committee, Jeanette Nelson and Kathy Kaiser, offered an eloquent and gracious resolution of thanks for glorious weather, wonderful food, and to all those who had a hand in organizing this year’s convention. Jeanette spoke from her heart in appreciation of all those who come from so far to enrich the square.

The Treasurer reported that we met our expenses.

The Arranging Committee reported that all leaders were called and that we had 82 leaders on Saturday and 74 (t?b?) on Sunday. The roll of states was taken, showing singers from 13 states: Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin; one Canadian province (Manitoba); and the United Kingdom.

Jeanette Nelson and Kathy Kaiser led 212. Co-Chairs Stacey Berkheimer and Paul Wyatt led 62 as the closing song while singers took the parting hand. Keith Willard offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.